spsA polynucleotides

ABSTRACT

spsA polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such spsA and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such spsA for the treatment of infection, particularly bacterial infections. Antagonists against such spsA and their use as a therapeutic to treat infections, particularly bacterial infections are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to the presence of spsA nucleic acid sequences and the polypeptides in a host. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting polynucleotides encoding spsA and for detecting the polypeptide in a host.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No.60/027,218, filed Sep. 30, 1996, U.S. patent application Ser. No.60/027,220, filed Oct. 1, 1996, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.60/027, 075, filed Sep. 30, 1996.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in part, to newly identified polynucleotides andpolypeptides; variants and derivatives of these polynucleotides andpolypeptides; processes for making these polynucleotides and thesepolypeptides, and their variants and derivatives and antagonists of thepolypeptides; and uses of these polynucleotides, polypeptides, variants,derivatives and antagonists. In particular, in these and in otherregards, the invention relates to polynucleotides and polypeptides ofspsA, hereinafter referred to as “spsA”.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The majority of proteins that are translocated across one or moremembranes from the site of synthesis are initially synthesized with anN-terminal extension known as a signal, or leader, peptide (Wickner, W.,et al, (1991). Ann. Rev. Biochem. 60:101-124). Proteolytic cleavage ofthe signal sequence to yield the mature protein occurs during, orshortly after, the translocation event and is catalyzed in bothprokaryotes and eukaryotes by enzymes known as signal, or leader,peptidases (herein “SPases”). The bacterial SPases are membrane proteinsconsisting of a single polypeptide anchored to the membrane by one(Gram-positive (herein “G⁺”) and Gram-negative (herein G⁻) bacteria) ortwo (G⁻ bacteria) transmembrane sections. Predicted amino acid sequencesof bacterial SPases show a high level of similarity and are known forEscherichia coli (Wolfe, P. B, et al, (1983) J. Biol. Chem.258:12073-12080), Pseudomonas fluorescens (Black, M. T., et al, (1992).Biochem. J. 282:539-543), Salmonella typhimurium (van Dijl, J. M., etal, (1990). Mol. Gen. Genet. 223:233-240), Haemophilus influenzae(Fleischmann, R. D., et al, (1995). Science 269:496-512), Phormidiumlaminosum (Packer, J. C., et al, (1995). Plant Mol. Biol. 27:199-204. K.Cregg, et al: Signal peptidase from Staphylococcus aureus ManuscriptJB765-96), Bradyrhizobium japonicum (Müiller, P., et al, (1995). Mol.Microbiol. 18:831-840), Rhodobacter capsulatus (Klug, G., et al, (1996).GenBank entry, accession number 268305), Bacillus subtilis (twochromosomal and two of plasmid origin (Akagawa, et al, (1995) Microbiol.141:3241-3245; Meljer, W. J. J., et al, (1995). Mol. Microbiol.17:621-631; van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1992). EMBO J. 11:2819-2828),Bacillus licheniformis (Hoang, V., et al, (1993). Sequence P42668submitted to emb1/genbank/ddbj data banks.), Bacillus caldotyricus (vanDijl, J. M. (1993). Sequence p41027, submitted to embl/genbank/ddbj databanks), Bacillus amyloliquifaciens (two chromosomal genes) (Hoang, V.and J. Hofemeister. (1995). Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1269:64-68; van Dijl,J. M. (1993). Sequence p41026, submitted to emb1/genbank/ddbj databanks) and a partial sequence has been reported for Bacillus pumilis(Hoang, V. and J. Hofemeister. (1995). Biochim. Biophys. Acta1269:64-68). These enzymes have been collectively defined as type-1signal pepidases (van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1992). EMBO J. II:2819-2828).Although the amino acid sequences of fifteen bacterial SPases (and asixteenth partial sequence) have now been reported, the best studiedexamples are leader peptidase (LPase or LepB) from E. coli and a SPasefrom B. subtilis (SipS).

It has been demonstrated that LPase activity is essential for cellgrowth in E. coli. Experiments whereby expression of the lepB gene,encoding LPase, was regulated either by a controllable ara promoter(Dalbey, R. E. and Wickner. 260:15925-15931) or by partial deletion ofthe natural promoter (Date, T. (1983). J. Bacteriol. 154:76-83)indicated that minimization of LPase production was associated withcessation of cell growth and division. In addition, an E. coli strainpossessing a mutated lepB gene (E. coli IT41) has been shown to have adrastically reduced growth rate and display a rapid and pronouncedaccumulation of preproteins when the temperature of the growth medium iselevated to 42° C. (Inada, T., et al, (1988). J. Bacteriol.171:585-587). These results imply that there is no other gene product inE. coli that can substitute for LPase and that lepB is a single-copygene in the E. coli chromosome. This is in contrast to at least twospecies within the G⁺ Bacillus genus, B. subtilis and B.amyloliquifaciens. It is known that there are at least two homologousSPase genes in each of these Bacillus species. The sipS gene can bedeleted from the chromosome of B. subtilis 168 without affecting cellgrowth rate or viability under laboratory conditions to yield a mutantstrain that can still process preα-amylase. A putative SPase sequence(Akagawa, et al, (1995) Microbiol. 141:3241-3245) may be thegene-product responsible for this activity and/or B. subtilis may harbormore than two SPase genes. Two or more genes encoding distinct SPasehomologues reside on the chromosome of the closely related species B.amyloliquifaciens (Hoang, V. and J. Hofemeister. (1995). Biochim.Biophys. Acta 1269:64-68) and there is evidence to suggest that B.Japonicum may possess more than one SPase (Müller, P., et al, (1995).Mol. Microbiol. 18:831-840; Müller, P., et al, (1995). Planta197:163-175). Although SPase sequences from seven genera of G+ bacteriaare now known, only the single Bacillus genus amongst the G+ eubacteriahas been investigated with respect to SPase characteristics. It wastherefore considered of interest to determine whether a G+ eubacteriumthat, unlike B. subtilis and B. amyloliquifaciens, is not known forexceptional secretion activity has genes encoding more than one SPasewith overlapping substrate specificities or whether it resembles E. coliand H. influenzae (and possibly other G-eubacteria)more closely in thatit has a single SPase gene. The recent publication of the entire genomicsequence of the obligate G⁺-like intracellular bacterium Mycoplasmagenitalium also reveals an interesting feature relating to heterogeneityamongst SPases (Fraser, C. M., et at, (1995). Science 270:397-403).Inhibitors of E. coli LPase have been reported (Allsop, A. E., et al,1995. Bioorg, & Med. Chem. Letts. 5:443-448).

Evidence has accumulated to suggest that LPase belongs to a new class ofserine protease that does not utilize a histamine as a catalytic base(Black, M. T., et al, (1992). Biochem. J. 282:539-543; Sung, M. and R.E. Dalbey. (1992). J. Biol. Chem 267:13154-13159) but may instead employa lysine side-chain to fulfill this role (Black, M. T. (1993). J.Bacteriol. 175:4957-4961; Tschantz, W. R., et al, (1993) J. Biol. Chem.268:27349-27354). These observations and comparisons with Lex A from E.coli led to the proposal that a serine-lysine catalytic dyad, similar tothat thought to operate during peptide bond hydrolysis catalyzed by LexA(Slilaty, S. N. and J. Little. (1987). Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA84:3987-3991), may operate in LPase (Black, M. T. (1993). J. Bacteriol.175:4957-4961). Similar observations have since been made for SPase fromB. subtilis (van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1995). J. Biol. Chem.270:3611-3618) and for the Tsp periplasmic protease from E. coli(Keiler, K. C. and R. T. Sauer. (1995). Biol. Chem. 270:28864-28868);the similarities of SipS to LexA have been suggested to extend toseveral regions of primary structure (van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1995). J.Biol. Chem. 270:3611-3618). The serine and lysine residues (90 and 145respectively in E. coli LPase numbering) known to be critical forcatalytic activity in both E. coli LPase (Black, M. T. (1993). J.Bacteriol. 175:4957-4961; Tschantz, W. R., et at, (1993) J. Biol. Chem.268:27349-27354) and B. subtilis SPase (van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1995).J. Biol. Chem. 270:3611-3618) and thought to form a catalytic dyad areboth conserved in the S. aureus protein SpsB (S36 and K77). In addition,the aspartate at position 155 (280 in E. coli LPase numbering) is alsoconserved (this residue appears important for activity of the SipS SPase(van Dijl, J. M., et al, (1995). J. Biol. Chem. 270:3611-3618) but lessso for LPase from E. coli (Sung, M. and R. E. Dalbey. (1992). J. Biol.Chem. 267:13154-13159). The present invention provides a novel SPasefrom S. aureus.

Clearly, there is a need for factors that may be used to screencompounds for antibiotic activity and which may also be used todetermine their roles in pathogenesis of infection, dysfunction andisease. There is a need, therefore, for identification andcharacterization of such factors which can play role in preventing,ameliorating or correcting infections, dysfunctions or diseases.

The polypeptide of the present invention has amino acid sequencehomology to known serine proteases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Toward these ends, and others, it is an object of the present inventionto provide polypeptides, inter alia, that have been identified as novelspsA by homology between the amino acid sequence set out in FIG. 2 andknown amino acid sequences of other proteins such as Bacillus subtillissipS.

It is a further object of the invention, moreover, to providepolynucleotides that encode spsA, particularly polynucleotides thatencode the polypeptide herein designated spsA.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of this aspect of the inventionthe polynucleotide comprises the region encoding spsA in the sequenceset out in FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], or a fragment, analogue or derivativethereof.

In another particularly preferred embodiment of the present inventionthere is a novel serine protease protein from Staphylococcus aureuscomprising the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], or afragment, analogue or derivative thereof.

In accordance with this aspect of the present invention there isprovided an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a mature polypeptideexpressible by the Staphylococcus aureus bacterial clone contained inNCIMB Deposit No. 40771.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention there are providedisolated nucleic acid molecules encoding spsA, particularlyStaphylococcus spsA, including mRNAs, cDNAs, genomic DNAs and, infurther embodiments of this aspect of the invention includebiologically, diagnostically, prophylactically, clinically ortherapeutically useful variants, analogs or derivatives thereof, orfragments thereof, including fragments of the variants, analogs andderivatives, and compositions comprising same.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided the use of a polynucleotide of the invention for therapeutic orprophylactic purposes, in particular genetic immunization.

Among the particularly preferred embodiments of this aspect of theinvention are naturally occurring allelic variants of spsA andpolypeptides encoded thereby. In accordance with this aspect of theinvention there are provided novel polypeptides of Staphylococcusreferred to herein as spsA as well as biologically, diagnostically,prophylactically, clinically or therapeutically useful fragments,variants and derivatives thereof, variants and derivatives of thefragments, and analogs of the foregoing, and compositions comprisingsame.

Among the particularly preferred embodiments of this aspect of theinvention are variants of spsA polypeptide encoded by naturallyoccurring alleles of the spsA gene.

In a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention there areprovided methods for producing the aforementioned spsA polypeptides.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, thereare provided inhibitors to such polypeptides, useful as antibacterialagents, including, for example, antibodies.

In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of this aspect of theinvention, there are provided products, compositions and methods, interalia: assessing spsA expression; to treat upper respiratory tract (e.g.otitis media, bacterial tracheitis, acute epiglottitis, thyroiditis),lower respiratory (e.g. empyema, lung abscess), cardiac (e.g. infectiveendocarditis), gastrointestinal (e.g. secretory diarrhoea, splenicabscess, retroperitoneal abscess), CNS (e.g. cerebral abscess), eye(e.g. blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, preseptaland orbital cellulitis, darcryocystitis), kidney and urinary tract (e.g.epididymitis, intrarenal and perinephric abscess, toxic shock syndrome),skin (e.g. impetigo, folliculitis, cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis,wound infection, bacterial myositis) bone and joint (e.g. septicarthritis, osteomyelitis); assaying genetic variation; and administeringa spsA polypeptide or polynucleotide to an organism to raise animmunological response against a bacteria, especially a Staphylococcus.

In accordance with certain preferred embodiments of this and otheraspects of the invention there are provided polynucleotides thathybridize to spsA polynucleotide sequences.

In certain additional preferred embodiments of this aspect of theinvention there are provided antibodies against spsA polypeptides.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, thereare provided spsA antagonists which are also preferably bacteriostaticor bacteriocidal.

In a further aspect of the invention there are provided compositionscomprising a spsA polynucleotide or a spsA polypeptide foradministration to a cell or to a multicellular organism.

Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of thedisclosed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in theart from reading the following description and from reading the otherparts of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings depict certain embodiments of the invention. Theyare illustrative only and do not limit the invention otherwise disclosedherein.

FIG. 1 shows the polynucleotide sequence of Staphylococcus aureus spsA[SEQ ID NO: 1].

FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of Staphylococcus aureus spsA [SEQID NO:2] educed from the polynucleotide sequence of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the polynucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences ofStaphylococcus ureus spsA and spsB [SEQ ID NO:3].

GLOSSARY

The following illustrative explanations are provided to facilitateunderstanding of certain terms used frequently herein, particularly inthe Examples. The explanations are provided as a convenience and are notlimitative of the invention.

SPSA-BINDING MOLECULE, as used herein, refers to molecules or ions whichbind or interact specifically with spsA polypeptides or polynucleotidesof the present invention, including, for example enzyme substrates, cellmembrane components and classical receptors. Binding betweenpolypeptides of the invention and such molecules, including binding orbinding or interaction molecules may be exclusive to polypeptides of theinvention, which is preferred, or it may be highly specific forpolypeptides of the invention, which is also preferred, or it may behighly specific to a group of proteins that includes polypeptides of theinvention, which is preferred, or it may be specific to several groupsof proteins at least one of which includes a polypeptide of theinvention. Binding molecules also include antibodies andantibody-derived reagents that bind specifically to polypeptides of theinvention.

GENETIC ELEMENT generally means a polynucleotide comprising a regionthat encodes a polypeptide or a polynucleotide region that regulatesreplication, transcription or translation or other processes importantto expression of the polypeptide in a host cell, or a polynucleotidecomprising both a region that encodes a polypeptide and a regionoperably linked thereto that regulates expression.

Genetic elements may be comprised within a vector that replicates as anepisomal element; that is, as a molecule physically independent of thehost cell genome. They may be comprised within plasmids. Geneticelements also may be comprised within a host cell genome; not in theirnatural state but, rather, following manipulation such as isolation,cloning and introduction into a host cell in the form of purified DNA orin a vector, among others.

HOST CELL is a cell which has been transformed or transfected, or iscapable of transformation or transfection by an exogenous polynucleotidesequence.

IDENTITY or SIMILARITY, as known in the art, are relationships betweentwo or more polypeptide sequences or two or more polynucleotidesequences, as determined by comparing the sequences. In the art,identity also means the degree of sequence relatedness betweenpolypeptide or polynucleotide sequences, as the case may be, asdetermined by the match between strings of such sequences. Both identityand similarity can be readily calculated (Computational MolecularBiology, Lesk, A. M., ed., Oxford University Press, New York, 1988;Biocomputing: Informatics and Genome Projects, Smith, D. W., ed.,Academic Press, New York, 1993; Computer Analysis of Sequence Data, PartI, Griffin, A. M., and Griffin, H. G., eds., Humana Press, New Jersey,1994; Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G., AcademicPress, 1987; and Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. and Devereux,J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991). While there exist a numberof methods to measure identity and similarity between two polynucleotideor two polypeptide sequences, both terms are well known to skilledartisans (Sequence Analysis in Molecular Biology, von Heinje, G.,Academic Press, 1987; Sequence Analysis Primer, Gribskov, M. andDevereux, J., eds., M Stockton Press, New York, 1991; and Carillo, H.,and Lipman, D., SIAM J. Applied Math., 48: 1073 (1988). Methods commonlyemployed to determine identity or similarity between sequences include,but are not limited to those disclosed in Carillo, H., and Lipman, D.,SIAM J. Applied Math., 48:1073 (1988). Preferred methods to determineidentity are designed to give the largest match between the sequencestested. Methods to determine identity and similarity are codified incomputer programs. Preferred computer program methods to determineidentity and similarity between two sequences include, but are notlimited to, GCG program package (Devereux, J., et al., Nucleic AcidsResearch 12(1): 387 (1984)), BLASTP, BLASTN, and FASTA (Altschul, S. F.et al., J. Molec. Biol. 215: 403 (1990)).

ISOLATED means altered “by the hand of man” from its natural state;i.e., that, if it occurs in nature, it has been changed or removed fromits original environment, or both. For example, a naturally occurringpolynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living organismin its natural state is not “isolated,” but the same polynucleotide orpolypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural stateis “isolated”, as the term is employed herein. For example, with respectto polynucleotides, the term isolated means that it is separated fromthe chromosome and cell in which it naturally occurs. As part of orfollowing isolation, such polynucleotides can be joined to otherpolynucleotides, such as DNAs, for mutagenesis, to form fusion proteins,and for propagation or expression in a host, for instance. The isolatedpolynucleotides, alone or joined to other polynucleotides such asvectors, can be introduced into host cells, in culture or in wholeorganisms. Introduced into host cells in culture or in whole organisms,such DNAs still would be isolated, as the term is used herein, becausethey would not be in their naturally occurring form or environment.Similarly, the polynucleotides and polypeptides may occur in acomposition, such as a media formulations, solutions for introduction ofpolynucleotides or polypeptides, for example, into cells, compositionsor solutions for chemical or enzymatic reactions, for instance, whichare not naturally occurring compositions, and, therein remain isolatedpolynucleotides or polypeptides within the meaning of that term as it isemployed herein.

POLYNUCLEOTIDE(S) generally refers to any polyribonucleotide orpolydeoxribonucleotide, which may be unmodified RNA or DNA or modifiedRNA or DNA. Thus, for instance, polynucleotides as used herein refersto, among others, single-and double-stranded DNA, DNA that is a mixtureof single- and double-stranded regions or single-, double- andtriple-stranded regions, single- and double-stranded RNA, and RNA thatis mixture of single- and double-stranded regions, hybrid moleculescomprising DNA and RNA that may be single-stranded or, more typically,double-stranded, or triple-stranded, or a mixture of single- anddouble-stranded regions. In addition, polynucleotide as used hereinrefers to triple-stranded regions comprising RNA or DNA or both RNA andDNA. The strands in such regions may be from the same molecule or fromdifferent molecules. The regions may include all of one or more of themolecules, but more typically involve only a region of some of themolecules. One of the molecules of a triple-helical region often is anoligonucleotide. As used herein, the term polynucleotide includes DNAsor RNAs as described above that contain one or more modified bases.Thus, DNAs or RNAs with backbones modified for stability or for otherreasons are “polynucleotides” as that term is intended herein. Moreover,DNAs or RNAs comprising unusual bases, such as inosine, or modifiedbases, such as tritylated bases, to name just two examples, arepolynucleotides as the term is used herein. It will be appreciated thata great variety of modifications have been made to DNA and RNA thatserve many useful purposes known to those of skill in the art. The termpolynucleotide as it is employed herein embraces such chemically,enzymatically or metabolically modified forms of polynucleotides, aswell as the chemical forms of DNA and RNA characteristic of viruses andcells, including simple and complex cells, inter alia. Polynucleotidesembraces short polynucleotides often referred to as oligonucleotide(s).

POLYPEPTIDES, as used herein, includes all polypeptides as describedbelow. The basic structure of polypeptides is well known and has beendescribed in innumerable textbooks and other publications in the art. Inthis context, the term is used herein to refer to any peptide or proteincomprising two or more amino acids joined to each other in a linearchain by peptide bonds. As used herein, the term refers to both shortchains, which also commonly are referred to in the art as peptides,oligopeptides and oligomers, for example, and to longer chains, whichgenerally are referred to in the art as proteins, of which there aremany types. It will be appreciated that polypeptides often contain aminoacids other than the 20 amino acids commonly referred to as the 20naturally occurring amino acids, and that many amino acids, includingthe terminal amino acids, may be modified in a given polypeptide, eitherby natural processes, such as processing and other post-translationalmodifications, but also by chemical modification techniques which arewell known to the art. Even the common modifications that occurnaturally in polypeptides are too numerous to list exhaustively here,but they are well described in basic texts and in more detailedmonographs, as well as in a voluminous research literature, and they arewell known to those of skill in the art.

Among the known modifications which may be present in polypeptides ofthe present are, to name an illustrative few, acetylation, acylation,ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalentattachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide ornucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipidderivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking,cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation ofcovalent cross-links, formation of cysteine, formation of pyroglutamate,formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation,hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation,proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization,selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acidsto proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. Such modificationsare well known to those of skill and have been described in great detailin the scientific literature. Several particularly common modifications,glycosylation, lipid attachment, sulfation, gamma-carboxylation ofglutamic acid residues, hydroxylation and ADP-ribosylation, forinstance, are described in most basic texts, such as, for instancePROTEINS—STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES, 2nd Ed., T. E. Creighton,W. H. Freeman and Company, New York (1993). Many detailed reviews areavailable on this subject, such as, for example, those provided by Wold,F., Posttranslational Protein Modifications: Perspectives and Prospects,pgs. 1-12 in POSTTRANSLATIONAL COVALENT MODIFICATION OF PROTEINS, B. C.Johnson, Ed., Academic Press, New York (1983); Seifter et al., Meth.EnzymoL. 182:626-646 (1990) and Rattan et al., Protein Synthesis:Posttranslational Modifications and Aging, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. 663:48-62 (1992). It will be appreciated, as is well known and as notedabove, that polypeptides are not always entirely linear. For instance,polypeptides may be generally as a result of posttranslation events,including natural processing event and events brought about by humanmanipulation which do not occur naturally. Circular, branched andbranched circular polypeptides may be synthesized by non-translationnatural process and by entirely synthetic methods, as well.Modifications can occur anywhere in a polypeptide, including the peptidebackbone, the amino acid side-chains and the amino or carboxyl termini.In fact, blockage of the amino or carboxyl group in a polypeptide, orboth, by a covalent modification, is common in naturally occurring andsynthetic polypeptides and such modifications may be present inpolypeptides of the present invention, as well. For instance, the aminoterminal residue of polypeptides made in E. coli or other cells, priorto proteolytic processing, almost invariably will be N-formylmethionine.During post-translational modification of the peptide, a methionineresidue at the NH₂-terminus may be deleted. Accordingly, this inventioncontemplates the use of both the methionine-containing and themethionineless amino terminal variants of the protein of the invention.The modifications that occur in a polypeptide often will be a functionof how it is made. For polypeptides made by expressing a cloned gene ina host, for instance, the nature and extent of the modifications inlarge part will be determined by the host cell posttranslationalmodification capacity and the modification signals present in thepolypeptide amino acid sequence. For instance, as is well known,glycosylation often does not occur in bacterial hosts such as, forexample, E. coli. Accordingly, when glycosylation is desired, apolypeptide should be expressed in a glycosylating host, generally aeukaryotic cell. Insect cell often carry out the same posttranslationalglycosylations as mammalian cells and, for this reason, insect cellexpression systems have been developed to express efficiently mammalianproteins having native patterns of glycosylation, inter alia. Similarconsiderations apply to other modifications. It will be appreciated thatthe same type of modification may be present in the same or varyingdegree at several sites in a given polypeptide. Also, a givenpolypeptide may contain many types of modifications. In general, as usedherein, the term polypeptide encompasses all such modifications,particularly those that are present in polypeptides synthesizedrecombinantly by expressing a polynucleotide in a host cell.

VARIANT(S) of polynucleotides or polypeptides, as the term is usedherein, are polynucleotides or polypeptides that differ from a referencepolynucleotide or polypeptide, respectively. Variants in this sense aredescribed below and elsewhere in the present disclosure in greaterdetail. (1) A polynucleotide that differs in nucleotide sequence fromanother, reference polynucleotide. Generally, differences are limited sothat the nucleotide sequences of the reference and the variant areclosely similar overall and, in many regions, identical. As noted below,changes in the nucleotide sequence of the variant may be silent. Thatis, they may not alter the amino acids encoded by the polynucleotide.Where alterations are limited to silent changes of this type a variantwill encode a polypeptide with the same amino acid sequence as thereference. Also as noted below, changes in the nucleotide sequence ofthe variant may alter the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide encodedby the reference polynucleotide. Such nucleotide changes may result inamino acid substitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncationsin the polypeptide encoded by the reference sequence, as discussedbelow. (2) A polypeptide that differs in amino acid sequence fromanother, reference polypeptide. Generally, differences are limited sothat the sequences of the reference and the variant are closely similaroverall and, in many region, identical. A variant and referencepolypeptide may differ in amino acid sequence by one or moresubstitutions, additions, deletions, fusions and truncations, which maybe present in any combination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to novel spsA polypeptides andpolynucleotides, among other things, as described in greater detailbelow. In particular, the invention relates to polypeptides andpolynucleotides of a novel spsA gene of Staphylococcus aureus, which isrelated by amino acid sequence homology to Bacillus subtillis sipSpolypeptide. The invention relates especially to spsA having thenucleotide and amino acid sequences set out in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2respectively, and to the spsA nucleotide and amino acid sequences of theDNA in NCIMB Deposit No. 40771, which is herein referred to as “thedeposited clone” or as the “DNA of the deposited clone.” It will beappreciated that the nucleotide and amino acid sequences set out inFIGS. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] and 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] were obtained by sequencingthe DNA of the deposited clone. Hence, the sequence of the depositedclone is controlling as to any discrepancies between it (and thesequence it encodes) and the sequences of FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] and FIG.2 [SEQ ID NO:2].

Polynudeotides

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there areprovided isolated polynucleotides which encode the spsA polypeptidehaving the deduced amino acid sequence of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2].

Using the information provided herein, such as the polynucleotidesequence set out in FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1], a polynucleotide of thepresent invention encoding spsA polypeptide may be obtained usingstandard cloning and screening procedures, such as those for cloning andsequencing chromosomal DNA fragments from Staphylococcus aureus WCUH 29cells as starting material, followed by obtaining a full length clone.For example, to obtain a polynucleotide of the invention sequence, suchas that sequence given in FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] typically a library ofclones of chromosomal DNA of Staphylococcus aureus WCUH 29 in E. coli orsome other suitable host is probed with a radiolabelled oligonucleotide,preferably a 17-mer or longer, derived from a partial sequence. Clonescarrying DNA identical to that of the probe can then be distinguishedusing high stringency washes. By sequencing the individual clones thusidentified with sequencing primers designed from the original sequenceit is then possible to extend the sequence in both directions todetermine the full gene sequence. Conveniently such sequencing isperformed using denatured double stranded DNA prepared from a plasmidclone. Suitable techniques are described by Maniatis, T., Fritsch, E. F.and Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed.;Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York(1989). (see Screening By Hybridization 1.90 and Sequencing DenaturedDouble-Stranded DNA Templates 13.70). Illustrative of the invention, thepolynucleotide set out in FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1] was discovered in a DNAlibrary derived from Staphylococcus aureus WCUH 29.

SpsA of the invention is structurally related to other spsA proteins, asshown by the results of sequencing the DNA encoding spsA of thedeposited clone. The DNA sequence thus obtained is set out in FIG. 1[SEQ ID NO:1]. It contains an open reading frame encoding a protein ofhaving about the number of amino acid residues set forth in FIG. 2 [SEQID NO:2] with a deduced molecular weight that can be calculated usingamino acid residue molecular weight values well known in the art. Theprotein exhibits greatest homology to Bacillus subtillis sipS proteinamong known proteins. spsA of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] has homology with theamino acid sequence of Bacillus subtillis sipS.

Polynucleotides of the present invention may be in the form of RNA, suchas mRNA, or in the form of DNA, including, for instance, cDNA andgenomic DNA obtained by cloning or produced by chemical synthetictechniques or by a combination thereof. The DNA may be double-strandedor single-stranded. Single-stranded DNA may be the coding strand, alsoknown as the sense strand, or it may be the non-coding strand, alsoreferred to as the anti-sense strand.

The coding sequence which encodes the polypeptide may be identical tothe coding sequence of the polynucleotide shown in FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1].It also may be a polynucleotide with a different sequence, which, as aresult of the redundancy (degeneracy) of the genetic code, encodes thepolypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2].

Polynucleotides of the present invention which encode the polypeptide ofFIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] may include, but are not limited to the codingsequence for the mature polypeptide, by itself; the coding sequence forthe mature polypeptide and additional coding sequences, such as thoseencoding a leader or secretory sequence, such as a pre-, or pro- orprepro- protein sequence; the coding sequence of the mature polypeptide,with or without the aforementioned additional coding sequences, togetherwith additional, non-coding sequences, including for example, but notlimited to non-coding 5′ and 3′ sequences, such as the transcribed,non-translated sequences that play a role in transcription (includingtenmination signals, for example), ribosome binding, mRNA stabilityelements, and additional coding sequence which encode additional aminoacids, such as those which provide additional functionalities. Thus, forinstance, the polypeptide may be fused to a marker sequence, such as apeptide, which facilitates purification of the fused polypeptide. Incertain embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the marker sequenceis a hexa-histidine peptide, such as the tag provided in the pQE vector(Qiagen, Inc.), among others, many of which are commercially available.As described in Gentz et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 86: 821-824(1989), for instance, hexa-histidine provides for convenientpurification of the fusion protein. The HA tag may also be used tocreate fusion proteins and corresponds to an epitope derived ofinfluenza hemagglutinin protein, which has been described by Wilson etaL, Cell 37: 767 (1984), for instance. Polynucleotides of the inventionalso include, but are not limited to, polynucleotides comprising astructural gene and its naturally associated genetic elements.

In accordance with the foregoing, the term “polynucleotide encoding apolypeptide” as used herein encompasses polynucleotides which include asequence encoding a polypeptide of the present invention, particularlybacterial, and more particularly the Staphylococcus aureus spsA havingthe amino acid sequence set out in FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2]. The termencompasses polynucleotides that include a single continuous region ordiscontinuous regions encoding the polypeptide (for example, interruptedby integrated phage or insertion sequence or editing) together withadditional regions, that also may contain coding and/or non-codingsequences.

The present invention further relates to variants of the herein abovedescribed polynucleotides which encode for fragments, analogs andderivatives of the polypeptide having the deduced amino acid sequence ofFIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2]. A variant of the polynucleotide may be a naturallyoccurring variant such as a naturally occurring allelic variant, or itmay be a variant that is not known to occur naturally. Suchnon-naturally occurring variants of the polynucleotide may be made bymutagenesis techniques, including those applied to polynucleotides,cells or organisms.

Among variants in this regard are variants that differ from theaforementioned polynucleotides by nucleotide substitutions, deletions oradditions. The substitutions, deletions or additions may involve one ormore nucleotides. The variants may be altered in coding or non-codingregions or both. Alterations in the coding regions may produceconservative or non-conservative amino acid substitutions, deletions oradditions.

Among the particularly preferred embodiments of the invention in thisregard are polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having the amino acidsequence of spsA set out in FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2]; variants, analogs,derivatives and fragments thereof, and fragments of the variants,analogs and derivatives.

Further particularly preferred in this regard are polynucleotidesencoding spsA variants, analogs, derivatives and fragments, andvariants, analogs and derivatives of the fragments, which have the aminoacid sequence of spsA polypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] in whichseveral, a few, 5 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 3, 2, 1 or no amino acid residuesare substituted, deleted or added, in any combination. Especiallypreferred among these are silent substitutions, additions and deletions,which do not alter the properties and activities of spsA. Alsoespecially preferred in this regard are conservative substitutions. Mosthighly preferred are polynucleotides encoding polypeptides having theamino acid sequence of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], without substitutions.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are polynucleotides thatare at least 70% identical over their entire length to a polynucleotideencoding spsA polypeptide having the amino acid sequence set out in FIG.2 [SEQ ID NO:2], and polynucleotides which are complementary to suchpolynucleotides. Alternatively, most highly preferred arepolynucleotides that comprise a region that is at least 80% identicalover their entire length to a polynucleotide encoding spsA polypeptideof the Staphylococcus aureus DNA of the deposited clone andpolynucleotides complementary thereto. In this regard, polynucleotidesat least 90% identical over their entire length to the same areparticularly preferred, and among these particularly preferredpolynucleotides, those with at least 95% are especially preferred.Furthermore, those with at least 97% are highly preferred among thosewith at least 95%, and among these those with at least 98% and at least99% are particularly highly preferred, with at least 99% being the morepreferred.

Preferred embodiments in this respect, moreover, are polynucleotideswhich encode polypeptides which retain substantially the same biologicalfunction or activity as the mature polypeptide encoded by the DNA ofFIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO:1].

The present invention further relates to polynucleotides that hybridizeto the herein above-described sequences. In this regard, the presentinvention especially relates to polynucleotides which hybridize understringent conditions to the herein above-described polynucleotides. Asherein used, the term “stringent conditions” means hybridization willoccur only if there is at least 95% and preferably at least 97% identitybetween the sequences.

As discussed additionally herein regarding polynucleotide assays of theinvention, for instance, polynucleotides of the invention as discussedabove, may be used as a hybridization probe for RNA, cDNA and genomicDNA to isolate full-length cDNAs and genomic clones encoding spsA and toisolate cDNA and genomic clones of other genes that have a high sequencesimilarity to the spsA gene. Such probes generally will comprise atleast 15 bases. Preferably, such probes will have at least 30 bases andmay have at least 50 bases. Particularly preferred probes will have atleast 30 bases and will have 50 bases or less.

For example, the coding region of the spsA gene may be isolated byscreening using the known DNA sequence to synthesize an oligonucleotideprobe. A labeled oligonucleotide having a sequence complementary to thatof a gene of the present invention is then used to screen a library ofcDNA, genomic DNA or mRNA to determine which members of the library theprobe hybridizes to.

The polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention may beemployed as research reagents and materials for discovery of treatmentsof and diagnostics for disease, particularly human disease, as furtherdiscussed herein relating to polynucleotide assays, inter alia.

The polynucleotides of the invention that are oligonucleotides,including SEQ ID NOS:3 and 4, derived from the sequences of SEQ ID NOS:1 and 2 may be used in the processes herein as described, but preferablyfor PCR, to determine whether or not the Staphylococcus aureus genesidentified herein in whole or in part are transcribed in infectedtissue. It is recognized that such sequences will also have utility indiagnosis of the stage of infection and type of infection the pathogenhas attained.

The polynucleotides may encode a polypeptide which is the mature proteinplus additional amino or carboxyl-terminal amino acids, or amino acidsinterior to the mature polypeptide (when the mature form has more thanone polypeptide chain, for instance). Such sequences may play a role inprocessing of a protein from precursor to a mature form, may allowprotein transport, may lengthen or shorten protein half-life or mayfacilitate manipulation of a protein for assay or production, amongother things. As generally is the case in vivo, the additional aminoacids may be processed away from the mature protein by cellular enzymes.

A precursor protein, having the mature form of the polypeptide fused toone or more prosequences may be an inactive form of the polypeptide.When prosequences are removed such inactive precursors generally areactivated. Some or all of the prosequences may be removed beforeactivation. Generally, such precursors are called proproteins.

In sum, a polynucleotide of the present invention may encode a matureprotein, a mature protein plus a leader sequence (which may be referredto as a preprotein), a precursor of a mature protein having one or moreprosequences which are not the leader sequences of a preprotein, or apreproprotein, which is a precursor to a proprotein, having a leadersequence and one or more prosequences, which generally are removedduring processing steps that produce active and mature forms of thepolypeptide.

Deposited Materials

The deposit has been made under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on theInternational Recognition of the Deposit of Micro-organisms for Purposesof Patent Procedure. The strain will be irrevocably and withoutrestriction or condition released to the public upon the issuance of apatent. The deposit is provided merely as convenience to those of skillin the art and is not an admission that a deposit is required forenablement, such as that required under 35 U.S.C. §112.

A deposit containing a Staphylococcus aureus spsA bacterial clone hasbeen deposited with the National Collections of Industrial and MarineBacteria Ltd. (NCIMB), 23 St. Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB2 1RY, Scotlandon Sep. 11, 1995 and assigned NCIMB Deposit No. 40771. TheStaphylococcus aureus bacterial clone deposit is referred to herein as“the deposited clone” or as “the DNA of the deposited clone.”

The deposited material is a bacterial clone that contains the fulllength spsA DNA, referred to as “NCIMB 40771” upon deposit.

The sequence of the polynucleotides contained in the deposited material,as well as the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide encoded thereby,are controlling in the event of any conflict with any description ofsequences herein.

A license may be required to make, use or sell the deposited materials,and no such license is hereby granted.

Polypeptides

The present invention further relates to a spsA polypeptide which has adeduced amino acid sequence of 151 amino acids in length, as set forthin FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], and has a deduced molecular weight of 21.692kilodaltons.

The invention also relates to fragments, analogs and derivatives ofthese polypeptides. The terms “fragment,” “derivative” and “analog” whenreferring to the polypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], means apolypeptide which retains essentially the same biological function oractivity as such polypeptide. Thus, an analog includes a proproteinwhich can be activated by cleavage of the proprotein portion to producean active mature polypeptide.

A fragment, derivative or analog of the polypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ IDNO:2] may be (i) one in which one or more of the amino acid residues aresubstituted with a conserved or non-conserved amino acid residue(preferably a conserved amino acid residue) and such substituted aminoacid residue may or may not be one encoded by the genetic code, or (ii)one in which one or more of the amino acid residues includes asubstituent group, or (iii) one in which the mature polypeptide is fusedwith another compound, such as a compound to increase the half-life ofthe polypeptide (for example, polyethylene glycol), or (iv) one in whichthe additional amino acids are fused to the mature polypeptide, such asa leader or secretory sequence or a sequence which is employed forpurification of the mature polypeptide or a proprotein sequence. Suchfragments, derivatives and analogs are deemed to be within the scope ofthose skilled in the art from the teachings herein.

Among the particularly preferred embodiments of the invention in thisregard are polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of spsA set outin FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], variants, analogs, derivatives and fragmentsthereof, and variants, analogs and derivatives of the fragments.Alternatively, particularly preferred embodiments of the invention inthis regard are polypeptides having the amino acid sequence of the spsA,variants, analogs, derivatives and fragments thereof, and variants,analogs and derivatives of the fragments.

Among preferred variants are those that vary from a reference byconservative amino acid substitutions. Such substitutions are those thatsubstitute a given amino acid in a polypeptide by another amino acid oflike characteristics. Typically seen as conservative substitutions arethe replacements, one for another, among the aliphatic amino acids Ala,Val, Leu and ile; interchange of the hydroxyl residues Ser and Thr,exchange of the acidic residues Asp and Glu, substitution between theamide residues Asn and Gln, exchange of the basic residues Lys and Argand replacements among the aromatic residues Phe, Tyr.

Further particularly preferred in this regard are variants, analogs,derivatives and fragments, and variants, analogs and derivatives of thefragments, having the amino acid sequence of the spsA polypeptide ofFIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], in which several, a few, 5 to 10, 1 to 5, 1 to 3,2, 1 or no amino acid residues are substituted, deleted or added, in anycombination. Especially preferred among these are silent substitutions,additions and deletions, which do not alter the properties andactivities of the spsA. Also especially preferred in this regard areconservative substitutions. Most highly preferred are polypeptideshaving the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] withoutsubstitutions.

The polypeptides and polynucleotides of the present invention arepreferably provided in an isolated form, and preferably are purified tohomogeneity.

The polypeptides of the present invention include the polypeptide ofFIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2] (in particular the mature polypeptide) as well aspolypeptides which have at least 70% identity to the polypeptide of FIG.2 [SEQ ID NO:2], preferably at least 80% identity to the polypeptide ofFIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2], and more preferably at least 90% similarity (morepreferably at least 90% identity) to the polypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ IDNO:2] and still more preferably at least 95% similarity (still morepreferably at least 95% identity) to the polypeptide of FIG. 2 [SEQ IDNO:2] and also include portions of such polypeptides with such portionof the polypeptide generally containing at least 30 amino acids and morepreferably at least 50 amino acids.

Fragments or portions of the polypeptides of the present invention maybe employed for producing the corresponding full-length polypeptide bypeptide synthesis; therefore, the fragments may be employed asintermediates for producing the full-length polypeptides. Fragments orportions of the polynucleotides of the present invention may be used tosynthesize full-length polynucleotides of the present invention.

Fragments

Also among preferred embodiments of this aspect of the present inventionare polypeptides comprising fragments of spsA, most particularlyfragments of spsA having the amino acid set out in FIG. 2 [SEQ ID NO:2],and fragments of variants and derivatives of the spsA of FIG. 2 [SEQ IDNO:2].

In this regard a fragment is a polypeptide having an amino acid sequencethat entirely is the same as part but not all of the amino acid sequenceof the aforementioned spsA polypeptides and variants or derivativesthereof.

Such fragments may be “free-standing,” i.e., not part of or fused toother amino acids or polypeptides, or they may be comprised within alarger polypeptide of which they form a part or region. When comprisedwithin a larger polypeptide, the presently discussed fragments mostpreferably form a single continuous region. However, several fragmentsmay be comprised within a single larger polypeptide. For instance,certain preferred embodiments relate to a fragment of a spsA polypeptideof the present comprised within a precursor polypeptide designed forexpression in a host and having heterologous pre and pro-polypeptideregions fused to the amino terminus of the spsA fragment and anadditional region fused to the carboxyl terminus of the fragment.Therefore, fragments in one aspect of the meaning intended herein,refers to the portion or portions of a fusion polypeptide or fusionprotein derived from spsA.

Representative examples of polypeptide fragments of the invention,include, for example, fragments from amino acid number 1-20, 21-40,41-60, 61-80, 81-100, and 101-151, and any combination of these 20 aminoacid fragments.

In this context “about” herein includes the particularly recited rangeslarger or smaller by several, a few, 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 amino acid ateither extreme or at both extremes.

Preferred fragments of the invention include, for example, truncationpolypeptides of spsA. Truncation polypeptides include spsA polypeptideshaving the amino acid sequence of FIG. 2, or of variants or derivativesthereof, except for deletion of a continuous series of residues (thatis, a continuous region, part or portion) that includes the aminoterminus, or a continuous series of residues that includes the carboxylterminus or, as in double truncation mutants, deletion of two continuousseries of residues, one including the amino terminus and one includingthe carboxyl terminus. Fragments having the size ranges set out aboutalso are preferred embodiments of truncation fragments, which areespecially preferred among fragments generally. Degradation forms of thepolypeptides of the invention in a host cell, particularly aStaphylococcus, are also preferred.

Also preferred in this aspect of the invention are fragmentscharacterized by structural or functional attributes of spsA. Preferredembodiments of the invention in this regard include fragments thatcomprise alpha-helix and alpha-helix forming regions, beta-sheet andbeta-sheet-forming regions, turn and turn-forming regions, coil andcoil-forming regions, hydrophilic regions, hydrophobic regions, alphaamphipathic regions, beta amphipathic regions, flexible regions,surface-forming regions, substrate binding region, and high antigenicindex regions of spsA, and combinations of such fragments.

Preferred regions are those that mediate activities of spsA. Most highlypreferred in this regard are fragments that have a chemical, biologicalor other activity of spsA, including those with a similar activity or animproved activity, or with a decreased undesirable activity. Furtherpreferred polypeptide fragments are those that are antigenic orimmunogenic in an animal, especially in a human.

It will be appreciated that the invention also relates to, among others,polynucleotides encoding the aforementioned fragments, polynucleotidesthat hybridize to polynucleotides encoding the fragments, particularlythose that hybridize under stringent conditions, and polynucleotides,such as PCR primers, for amplifying polynucleotides that encode thefragments. In these regards, preferred polynucleotides are those thatcorrespond to the preferred fragments, as discussed above.

Vectors, Host Cells, Expression

The present invention also relates to vectors which comprise apolynucleotide or polynucleotides of the present invention, host cellswhich are genetically engineered with vectors of the invention and theproduction of polypeptides of the invention by recombinant techniques.

Host cells can be genetically engineered to incorporate polynucleotidesand express polypeptides of the present invention. Introduction of apolynucleotides into the host cell can be affected by calcium phosphatetransfection, DEAE-dextran mediated transfection, transvection,microinjection, cationic lipid-mediated transfection, electroporation,transduction, scrape loading, ballistic introduction, infection or othermethods. Such methods are described in many standard laboratory manuals,such as Davis et al., BASIC METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, (1986) andSambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., ColdSpring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

Polynucelotide constructs in host cells can be used in a conventionalmanner to produce the gene product encoded by the recombinant sequence.Alternatively, the polypeptides of the invention can be syntheticallyproduced by conventional peptide synthesizers.

Mature proteins can be expressed in mamrnmalian cells, yeast, bacteria,or other cells under the control of appropriate promoters. Cell-freetranslation systems can also be employed to produce such proteins usingRNAs derived from the DNA constructs of the present invention.Appropriate cloning and expression vectors for use with prokaryotic andeukaryotic hosts are described by Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING: ALABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, ColdSpring Harbor, N.Y. (1989).

In accordance with this aspect of the invention the vector may be, forexample, a plasmid vector, a single or double-stranded phage vector, asingle or double-stranded RNA or DNA viral vector. Plasmids generallyare designated herein by a lower case p preceded and/or followed bycapital letters and/or numbers, in accordance with standard namingconventions that are familiar to those of skill in the art. Startingplasmids disclosed herein are either commercially available, publiclyavailable, or can be constructed from available plasmids by routineapplication of well known, published procedures. Many plasmids and othercloning and expression vectors that can be used in accordance with thepresent invention are well known and readily available to those of skillin the art.

Preferred among vectors, in certain respects, are those for expressionof polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention. Generally,such vectors comprise cis-acting control regions effective forexpression in a host operatively linked to the polynucleotide to beexpressed. Appropriate trans-acting factors either are supplied by thehost, supplied by a complementing vector or supplied by the vectoritself upon introduction into the host.

In certain preferred embodiments in this regard, the vectors provide forspecific expression. Such specific expression may be inducibleexpression or expression only in certain types of cells or bothinducible and cell-specific. Particularly preferred among induciblevectors are vectors that can be induced for expression by environmentalfactors that are easy to manipulate, such as temperature and nutrientadditives. A variety of vectors suitable to this aspect of theinvention, including constitutive and inducible expression vectors foruse in prokaryotic and eukaryotic hosts, are well known and employedroutinely by those of skill in the art.

A great variety of expression vectors can be used to express apolypeptide of the invention. Such vectors include, among others,chromosomal, episomal and virus-derived vectors, e.g., vectors derivedfrom bacterial plasmids, from bacteriophage, from transposons, fromyeast episomes, from insertion elements, from yeast chromosomalelements, from viruses such as baculoviruses, papova viruses, such asSV40, vaccinia viruses, adenoviruses, fowl pox viruses, pseudorabiesviruses and retroviruses, and vectors derived from combinations thereof,such as those derived from plasmid and bacteriophage genetic elements,such as cosmids and phagemids, all may be used for expression inaccordance with this aspect of the present invention. Generally, anyvector suitable to maintain, propagate or express polynucleotides toexpress a polypeptide in a host may be used for expression in thisregard.

The appropriate DNA sequence may be inserted into the vector by any of avariety of well-known and routine techniques, such as, for example,those set forth in Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORYMANUAL, 2nd Ed.; Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold SpringHarbor, New York (1989).

The DNA sequence in the expression vector is operatively linked toappropriate expression control sequence(s), including, for instance, apromoter to direct mRNA transcription. Representatives of such promotersinclude, but are limited to, the phage lambda PL promoter, the E. colilac, trp and tac promoters, the SV40 early and late promoters andpromoters of retroviral LTRs.

In general, expression constructs will contain sites for transcriptioninitiation and termination, and, in the transcribed region, a ribosomebinding site for translation. The coding portion of the maturetranscripts expressed by the constructs will include a translationinitiating AUG at the beginning and a termination codon appropriatelypositioned at the end of the polypeptide to be translated.

In addition, the constructs may contain control regions that regulate aswell as engender expression. Generally, in accordance with many commonlypracticed procedures, such regions will operate by controllingtranscription, such as transcription factors, repressor binding sitesand termination, among others.

Vectors for propagation and expression generally will include selectablemarkers and amplification regions, such as, for example, those set forthin Sambrook et al., MOLECULAR CLONING, A LABORATORY MANUAL, 2nd Ed.;Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, New York(1989).

Representative examples of appropriate hosts include bacterial cells,such as streptococci, staphylococci, E. coli, streptomyces and Bacillussubtilis cells; fungal cells, such as yeast cells and Aspergillus cells;insect cells such as Drosophila S2 and Spodoptera Sf9 cells; animalcells such as CHO, COS, HeLa, C127, 3T3, BHK, 293 and Bowes melanomacells; and plant cells.

The following vectors, which are commercially available, are provided byway of example. Among vectors preferred for use in bacteria are pQE70,pQE60 and pQE-9, available from Qiagen; pBS vectors, Phagescriptvectors, Bluescript vectors, pNH8A, pNH16a, pNH18A, pNH46A, availablefrom Stratagene; and ptrc99a, pKK223-3, pKK233-3, pDR540, pRIT5available from Pharmacia, and pBR322 (ATCC 37017). Among preferredeukaryotic vectors are pWLNEO, pSV2CAT, pOG44, pXT1 and pSG availablefrom Stratagene; and pSVK3, pBPV, pMSG and pSVL available fromPharmacia. These vectors are listed solely by way of illustration of themany commercially available and well known vectors that are available tothose of skill in the art for use in accordance with this aspect of thepresent invention. It will be appreciated that any other plasmid orvector suitable for, for example, introduction, maintenance, propagationor expression of a polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention in ahost may be used in this aspect of the invention.

Promoter regions can be selected from any desired gene using vectorsthat contain a reporter transcription unit lacking a promoter region,such as a chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (“CAT”) transcription unit,downstream of restriction site or sites for introducing a candidatepromoter fragment; i.e., a fragment that may contain a promoter. As iswell known, introduction into the vector of a promoter-containingfragment at the restriction site upstream of the cat gene engendersproduction of CAT activity, which can be detected by standard CATassays. Vectors suitable to this end are well known and readilyavailable, such as pKK232-8 and pCM7. Promoters for expression ofpolynucleotides of the present invention include not only well known andreadily available promoters, but also promoters that readily may beobtained by the foregoing technique, using a reporter gene.

Among known prokaryotic promoters suitable for expression ofpolynucleotides and polypeptides in accordance with the presentinvention are the E. coli lacI and lacZ and promoters, the T3 and T7promoters, the gpt promoter, the lambda PR, PL promoters and the trppromoter.

Among known eukaryotic promoters suitable in this regard are the CMVimmediate early promoter, the HSV thymidine kinase promoter, the earlyand late SV40 promoters, the promoters of retroviral LTRs, such as thoseof the Rous sarcoma virus (“RSV”), and metallothionein promoters, suchas the mouse metallothionein-I promoter.

Recombinant expression vectors will include, for example, origins ofreplication, a promoter preferably derived from a highly-expressed geneto direct transcription of a downstream structural sequence, and aselectable marker to permit isolation of vector containing cells afterexposure to the vector.

Polynucleotides of the invention, encoding the heterologous structuralsequence of a polypeptide of the invention generally will be insertedinto the vector using standard techniques so that it is operably linkedto the promoter for expression. The polynucleotide will be positioned sothat the transcription start site is located appropriately 5′ to aribosome binding site. The ribosome binding site will be 5′ to the AUGor GTG that initiates translation of the polypeptide to be expressed.Generally, there will be no other open reading frames that begin with aninitiation codon, usually AUG, and lie between the ribosome binding siteand the initiation codon. Also, generally, there will be a translationstop codon at the end of the polypeptide and there will be apolyadenylation signal in constructs for use in eukaryotic hosts.Transcription termination signal appropriately disposed at the 3′ end ofthe transcribed region may also be included in the polynucleotideconstruct.

For secretion of the translated protein into the lumen of theendoplasmic reticulum, into the periplasmic space or into theextracellular environment, appropriate secretion signals may beincorporated into the expressed polypeptide. These signals may beendogenous to the polypeptide or they may be heterologous signals.

The polypeptide may be expressed in a modified form, such as a fusionprotein, and may include not only secretion signals but also additionalheterologous functional regions. Thus, for instance, a region ofadditional amino acids, particularly charged amino acids, may be addedto the N-terminus of the polypeptide to improve stability andpersistence in the host cell, during purification or during subsequenthandling and storage. Also, region also may be added to the polypeptideto facilitate purification. Such regions may be removed prior to finalpreparation of the polypeptide. The addition of peptide moieties topolypeptides to engender secretion or excretion, to improve stability orto facilitate purification, among others, are familiar and routinetechniques in the art. A preferred fusion protein comprises aheterologous region from immunolglobulin that is useful to solubilize orpurify polypeptides. For example, EP-A-O 464 533 (Canadian counterpart2045869) discloses fusion proteins comprising various portions ofconstant region of immunoglobin molecules together with another proteinor part thereof. In drug discovery, for example, proteins have beenfused with antibody Fc portions for the purpose of high-throughputscreening assays to identify antagonists. See, D. Bennett et al.,Journal of Molecular Recognition, Vol. 8 52-58 (1995) and K. Johanson etal., The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 270, No. 16, pp 9459-9471(1995).

Cells typically then are harvested by centrifugation, disrupted byphysical or chemical means, and the resulting crude extract retained forfurther purification.

Microbial cells employed in expression of proteins can be disrupted byany convenient method, including freeze-thaw cycling, sonication,mechanical disruption, or use of cell lysing agents, such methods arewell know to those skilled in the art.

Mammalian expression vectors may comprise an origin of replication, asuitable promoter and enhancer, and also any necessary ribosome bindingsites, polyadenylation regions, splice donor and acceptor sites,transcriptional termination sequences, and 5′ flanking non-transcribedsequences that are necessary for expression.

spsA polypeptide can be recovered and purified from recombinant cellcultures by well-known methods including ammonium sulfate or ethanolprecipitation, acid extraction, anion or cation exchange chromatography,phosphocellulose chromatography, hydrophobic interaction chromatography,affinity chromatography, hydroxylapatite chromatography and lectinchromatography. Most preferably, high performance liquid chromatographyis employed for purification. Well known techniques for refoldingprotein may be employed to regenerate active conformation when thepolypeptide is denatured during isolation and or purification.

Polynucleotide Assays

This invention is also related to the use of the spsA polynucleotides todetect complementary polynucleotides such as, for example, as adiagnostic reagent. Detection of spsA in a eukaryote, particularly amammal, and especially a human, will provide a diagnostic method fordiagnosis of a disease. Eukaryotes (herein also “individual(s)”),particularly mammals, and especially humans, particularly those infectedwith an organism comprising the spsA gene may be detected at the DNAlevel by a variety of techniques. Nucleic acids for diagnosis may beobtained from an infected individual's cells and tissues, such as bone,blood, muscle, cartilage, and skin. Genomic DNA may be used directly fordetection or may be amplified enzymatically by using PCR (Saiki et al.,Nature, 324: 163-166 (1986) prior to analysis. RNA or cDNA may also beused in the same ways. As an example, PCR primers complementary to thenucleic acid encoding spsA can be used to identify and analyze spsApresence and/or expression. Using PCR, characterization of the strain ofprokaryote present in a eukaryote, particularly a mammal, and especiallya human, may be made by an analysis of the genotype of the prokaryotegene. For example, deletions and insertions can be detected by a changein size of the amplified product in comparison to the genotype of areference sequence. Point mutations can be identified by hybridizingamplified DNA to radiolabeled spsA RNA or alternatively, radiolabeledspsA antisense DNA sequences. Perfectly matched sequences can bedistinguished from mismatched duplexes by RNase A digestion or bydifferences in melting temperatures.

Sequence differences between a reference gene and genes having mutationsalso may be revealed by direct DNA sequencing. In addition, cloned DNAsegments may be employed as probes to detect specific DNA segments. Thesensitivity of such methods can be greatly enhanced by appropriate useof PCR or another amplification method. For example, a sequencing primeris used with double-stranded PCR product or a single-stranded templatemolecule generated by a modified PCR. The sequence determination isperformed by conventional procedures with radiolabeled nucleotide or byautomatic sequencing procedures with fluorescent-tags.

Genetic characterization based on DNA sequence differences may beachieved by detection of alteration in electrophoretic mobility of DNAfragments in gels, with or without denaturing agents. Small sequencedeletions and insertions can be visualized by high resolution gelelectrophoresis. DNA fragments of different sequences may bedistinguished on denaturing formamide gradient gels in which themobilities of different DNA fragments are retarded in the gel atdifferent positions according to their specific melting or partialmelting temperatures (see, e.g., Myers et al., Science, 230: 1242(1985)).

Sequence changes at specific locations also may be revealed by nucleaseprotection assays, such as RNase and S1 protection or the chemicalcleavage method (e.g., Cotton et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA, 85:43974401 (1985)).

Thus, the detection of a specific DNA sequence may be achieved bymethods such as hybridization, RNase protection, chemical cleavage,direct DNA sequencing or the use of restriction enzymes, e.g.,restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) and Southern blottingof genomic DNA.

In addition to more conventional gel-electrophoresis and DNA sequencing,mutations also can be detected by in situ analysis.

Cells carrying mutations or polymorphisms in the gene of the presentinvention may also be detected at the DNA level by a variety oftechniques, to allow for serotyping, for example. For example, RT-PCRcan be used to detect mutations. It is particularly preferred to usedRT-PCR in conjunction with automated detection systems, such as, forexample, GeneScan. RNA or cDNA may also be used for the same purpose,PCR or RT-PCR. As an example, PCR primers complementary to the nucleicacid encoding spsA can be used to identify and analyze mutations. Theseprimers may be used for amplifying spsA DNA isolated from a samplederived from an individual.

The invention provides a process for diagnosing, disease, preferablybacterial infections, more preferably Staphylococcus aureus, and mostpreferably upper respiratory tract (e.g. otitis media, bacterialtracheitis, acute epiglottitis, thyroiditis), lower respiratory (e.g.empyema, lung abscess), cardiac (e.g. infective endocarditis),gastrointestinal (e.g. secretory diarrhoea, splenic abscess,retroperitoneal abscess), CNS (e.g. cerebral abscess), eye (e.g.blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, preseptal andorbital cellulitis, darcryocystitis), kidney and urinary tract (e.g.epididymitis, intrarenal and perinephric abscess, toxic shock syndrome),skin (e.g. impetigo, folliculitis, cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis,wound infection, bacterial myositis) bone and joint (e.g. septicarthritis, osteomyelitis), comprising determining from a sample derivedfrom an individual a increased level of expression of polynucleotidehaving the sequence of FIG. 1 [SEQ ID NO: 1]. Increased expression ofspsA polynucleotide can be measured using any one of the methods wellknown in the art for the quantitation of polynucleotides, such as, forexample, PCR, RT-PCR, RNase protection, Northern blotting and otherhybridization methods.

Polypeptide Assays

The present invention also relates to a diagnostic assays such asquantitative and diagnostic assays for detecting levels of spsA proteinin cells and tissues, including determination of normal and abnormallevels. Thus, for instance, a diagnostic assay in accordance with theinvention for detecting over-expression of spsA protein compared tonormal control tissue samples may be used to detect the presence of aninfection, for example. Assay techniques that can be used to determinelevels of a spsA protein, in a sample derived from a host are well-knownto those of skill in the art. Such assay methods includeradioimmunoassays, competitive-binding assays, Western Blot analysis andELISA assays. Among these ELISAs frequently are preferred. An ELISAassay initially comprises preparing an antibody specific to spsA,preferably a monoclonal antibody. In addition a reporter antibodygenerally is prepared which binds to the monoclonal antibody. Thereporter antibody is attached a detectable reagent such as radioactive,fluorescent or enzymatic reagent, in this example horseradish peroxidaseenzyme.

Antibodies

The polypeptides, their fragments or other derivatives, or analogsthereof, or cells expressing them can be used as an immunogen to produceantibodies thereto. The present invention includes, for examplesmonoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, chimeric, single chain, andhumanized antibodies, as well as Fab fragments, or the product of an Fabexpression library.

Antibodies generated against the polypeptides corresponding to asequence of the present invention can be obtained by direct injection ofthe polypeptides into an animal or by administering the polypeptides toan animal, preferably a nonhuman. The antibody so obtained will thenbind the polypeptides itself. In this manner, even a sequence encodingonly a fragment of the polypeptides can be used to generate antibodiesbinding the whole native polypeptides. Such antibodies can then be usedto isolate the polypeptide from tissue expressing that polypeptide.

For preparation of monoclonal antibodies, any technique known in the artwhich provides antibodies produced by continuous cell line cultures canbe used. Examples include various techniques, such as those in Kohler,G. and Milstein, C., Nature 256: 495497 (1975); Kozbor et aL, ImmunologyToday 4: 72 (1983); Cole et al., pg. 77-96 in MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES ANDCANCER THERAPY, Alan R. Liss, Inc. (1985).

Techniques described for the production of single chain antibodies (U.S.Pat. No. 4,946,778) can be adapted to produce single chain antibodies toimmunogenic polypeptide products of this invention. Also, transgenicmice, or other organisms such as other mammals, may be used to expresshumanized antibodies to immunogenic polypeptide products of thisinvention.

Alternatively phage display technology could be utilised to selectantibody genes with binding activities towards the polypeptide eitherfrom repertoires of PCR amplified v-genes of lymphocytes from humansscreened for possessing anti-Fbp or from naive libraries (McCafferty, J.et al., (1990), Nature 348, 552-554; Marks, J. et al., (1992)Biotechnology 10, 779-783). The affinity of these antibodies can also beimproved by chain shuffling (Clackson, T. et al., (1991) Nature 352,624-628).

If two antigen binding domains are present each domain may be directedagainst a different epitope—termed ‘bispecific’ antibodies.

The above-described antibodies may be employed to isolate or to identifyclones expressing the polypeptide or purify the polypeptide of thepresent invention by attachment of the antibody to a solid support forisolation and/or purification by affinity chromatography.

Thus, among others, antibodies against spsA may be employed to inhibitand/or treat infections, particularly bacterial infections andespecially upper respiratory tract (e.g. otitis media, bacterialtracheitis, acute epiglottitis, thyroiditis), lower respiratory (e.g.empyema, lung abscess), cardiac (e.g. infective endocarditis),gastrointestinal (e.g. secretory diarrhoea, splenic abscess,retroperitoneal abscess), CNS (e.g. cerebral abscess), eye (e.g.blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, endophthalmitis, preseptal &orbital cellulitis, darcryocystitis), kidney and urinary tract (e.g.epididymitis, intrarenal and perinephric abscess, toxic shock syndrome),skin (e.g. impetigo, folliculitis, cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis,wound infection, bacterial myositis) and bone and joint (e.g. septicarthritis, osteomyelitis).

Polypeptide derivatives include antigenically, epitopically orimmunologically equivalent derivatives which form a particular aspect ofthis invention. The term “antigenically equivalent derivative” as usedherein encompasses a polypeptide or its equivalent which will bespecifically recognised by certain antibodies which, when raised to theprotein or polypeptide according to the present invention, interferewith the immediate physical interaction between pathogen and mammalianhost. The term “immunologically equivalent derivative” as used hereinencompasses a peptide or its equivalent which when used in a suitableformulation to raise antibodies in a vertebrate, the antibodies act tointerfere with the immediate physical interaction between pathogen andmammalian host.

The polypeptide, such as an antigenically or immunologically equivalentderivative or a fusion protein thereof is used as an antigen to immunizea mouse or other animal such as a rat or chicken. The fusion protein mayprovide stability to the polypeptide. The antigen may be associated, forexample by conjugation, with an immunogenic carrier protein for examplebovine serum albumin (BSA) or keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH).Alternatively a multiple antigenic peptide comprising multiple copies ofthe protein or polypeptide, or an antigenically or immunologicallyequivalent polypeptide thereof may be sufficiently antigenic to improveimmunogenicity so as to obviate the use of a carrier.

Preferably the antibody or derivative thereof is modified to make itless immunogenic in the individual. For example, if the individual ishuman the antibody may most preferably be “humanised”; where thecomplimentarily determining region(s) of the hybridoma-derived antibodyhas been transplanted into a human monoclonal antibody, for example asdescribed in Jones, P. et al. (1986), Nature 321, 522-525 or Tempest etal.,(l991) Biotechnology 9, 266-273.

The use of a polynucleotide of the invention in genetic immunisationwill preferably employ a suitable delivery method such as directinjection of plasmid DNA into muscles (Wolff et al., Hum Mol Genet 1992,1:363, Manthorpe et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 1963:4, 419), delivery of DNAcomplexed with specific protein carriers (Wu et al., J Biol Chem1989:264,16985), coprecipitation of DNA with calcium phosphate(Benvenisty & Reshef, PNAS,1986:83,9551), encapsulation of DNA invarious forms of liposomes (Kaneda et al., Science 1989:243,375),particle bombardment (Tang et al., Nature 1992, 356:152, Eisenbraun etal., DNA Cell Biol 1993, 12:791) and in vivo infection using clonedretroviral vectors (Seeger et al., PNAS 1984:81,5849).

spsA-binding Molecules and Assays

This invention also provides a method for identification of molecules,such as binding molecules, that bind spsA. Genes encoding proteins thatbind spsA, can be identified by numerous methods known to those of skillin the art, for example, ligand panning and FACS sorting. Such methodsare described in many laboratory manuals such as, for instance, Coliganet al., Current Protocols in Immunology 1(2): Chapter 5 (1991). Also, alabeled ligand can be photoaffinity linked to a cell extract.

Polypeptides of the invention also can be used to assess spsA bindingcapacity of spsA-binding molecules, in cells or in cell-freepreparations.

Polypeptides of the invention may also be used to assess the binding orsmall molecule substrates and ligands in, for example, cells, cell-freepreparations, chemical libraries, and natural product mixtures. Thesesubstrates and ligands may be natural substrates and ligands or may bestructural or functional mimetics.

Antagonists and—Assays and Molecules

The invention also provides a method of screening compounds to identifythose which block (antagonist) the action of spsA polypeptides orpolynucleotides, such as its interaction with spsA-binding molecules.

For example, to screen for antagonists, a synthetic reaction mix, acellular compartment, such as a membrane, cell envelope or cell wall, ora preparation of any thereof, may be prepared from a cell that expressesa molecule that binds spsA. The preparation is incubated with labeledspsA in the absence or the presence of a candidate molecule which may bea spsA antagonist. The ability of the candidate molecule to bind thebinding molecule is reflected in decreased binding of the labeledligand. Molecules which bind gratuitously, i.e., without inducing theeffects of spsA on binding the spsA binding molecule, are most likely tobe good antagonists.

spsA-like effects of potential antagonists may by measured, forinstance, by determining activity of a reporter system followinginteraction of the candidate molecule with a cell or appropriate cellpreparation, and comparing the effect with that of spsA or moleculesthat elicit the same effects as spsA. Reporter systems that may beuseful in this regard include but are not limited to colorimetriclabeled substrate converted into product, a reporter gene that isresponsive to changes in spsA activity, and binding assays known in theart.

Another example of an assay for spsA antagonists is a competitive assaythat combines spsA and a potential antagonist with membrane-boundspsA-binding molecules, recombinant spsA binding molecules, naturalsubstrates or ligands, or substrate or ligand mimetics, underappropriate conditions for a competitive inhibition assay. spsA can belabeled, such as by radioactivity or a colorimetric compound, such thatthe number of spsA molecules bound to a binding molecule or converted toproduct can be determined accurately to assess the effectiveness of thepotential antagonist.

Potential antagonists include small organic molecules, peptides,polypeptides and antibodies that bind to a polypeptide of the inventionand thereby inhibit or extinguish its activity. Potential antagonistsalso may be small organic molecules, a peptide, a polypeptide such as aclosely related protein or antibody that binds the same sites on abinding molecule, such as a binding molecule, without inducingspsA-induced activities, thereby preventing the action of spsA byexcluding spsA from binding.

Potential antagonists include a small molecule which binds to andoccupies the binding site of the polypeptide thereby preventing bindingto cellular binding molecules, such that normal biological activity isprevented. Examples of small molecules include but are not limited tosmall organic molecules, peptides or peptide-ike molecules.

Other potential antagonists include antisense molecules (see Okano, J.Neurochem. 56: 560 (1991); OLIGODEOXYNUCLEOTIDES AS ANTISENSE INHIBITORSOF GENE EXPRESSION, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla. (1988), for adescription of these molecules).

Preferred potential antagonists include compounds related to andderivatives of spsA.

In a particular aspect the invention provides the use of thepolypeptide, polynucleotide or inhibitor of the invention to interferewith the initial physical interaction between a pathogen and mammalianhost responsible for sequelae of infection. In particular the moleculesof the invention may be used: i) in the prevention of adhesion ofbacteria, in particular gram positive bacteria, to mammalianextracellular matrix proteins on in-dwelling devices or to extracellularmatrix proteins in wounds; ii) to block serine protease protein mediatedmammalian cell invasion by, for example, initiating phosphorylation ofmammalian tyrosine kinases (Rosenshine et al., Infect. Immun. 60:2211(1992); iii) to block bacterial adhesion between mammalian extracellularmatrix proteins and bacterial serine protease proteins which mediatetissue damage; iv) to block the normal progression of pathogenesis ininfections initiated other than by the implantation of in-dwellingdevices or by other surgical techniques.

Each of the DNA sequences provided herein may be used in the discoveryand development of antibacterial compounds. The encoded protein uponexpression can be used as a target for the screening of antibacterialdrugs. Additionally, the DNA sequences encoding the amino terminalregions of the encoded protein or Shine-Delgarno or other translationfacilitating sequences of the respective mRNA can be used to constructantisense sequences to control the expression of the coding sequence ofinterest.

The antagonists may be employed for instance to inhibit upperrespiratory tract (e.g. otitis media, bacterial tracheitis, acuteepiglottitis, thyroiditis), lower respiratory (e.g. empyema, lungabscess), cardiac (e.g. infective endocarditis), gastrointestinal (e.g.secretory diarrhoea, splenic abscess, retroperitoneal abscess), CNS(e.g. cerebral abscess), eye (e.g. blepharitis, conjunctivitis,keratitis, endophthalmitis, preseptal and orbital cellulitis,darcryocystitis), kidney and urinary tract (e.g. epididymitis,intrarenal and perinephric abscess, toxic shock syndrome), skin (e.g.impetigo, folliculitis, cutaneous abscesses, cellulitis, woundinfection, bacterial myositis) bone and joint (e.g. septic arthritis,steomyelitis).

Vaccines

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for inducing animmunological response in an individual, particularly a mammal whichcomprises inoculating the individual with spsA, or a fragment or variantthereof, adequate to produce antibody to protect said individual frominfection, particularly bacterial infection and most particularlyStaphylococcus infections. Yet another aspect of the invention relatesto a method of inducing immunological response in an individual whichcomprises, through gene therapy, delivering gene encoding spsA, or afragment or a variant thereof, for expressing spsA, or a fragment or avariant thereof in vivo in order to induce an immunological response toproduce antibody to protect said individual from disease.

A further aspect of the invention relates to an immunologicalcomposition which, when introduced into a host capable or having inducedwithin it an immunological response, induces an immunological responsein such host to a spsA or protein coded therefrom, wherein thecomposition comprises a recombinant spsA or protein coded therefromcomprising DNA which codes for and expresses an antigen of said spsA orprotein coded therefrom.

The spsA or a fragment thereof may be fused with co-protein which maynot by itself produce antibodies, but is capable of stabilizing thefirst protein and producing a fused protein which will have immunogenicand protective properties. Thus fused recombinant protein, preferablyfurther comprises an antigenic co-protein, such asGlutathione-S-transferase (GST) or beta-galactosidase, relatively largeco-proteins which solubilise the protein and facilitate production andpurification thereof. Moreover, the co-protein may act as an adjuvant inthe sense of providing a generalized stimulation of the immune system.The co-protein may be attached to either the amino or carboxy terminusof the first protein.

Provided by this invention are methods using the describedpolynucleotide or particular fragments thereof which have been shown toencode non-variable regions of bacterial cell surface proteins in DNAconstructs used in such genetic immunization experiments in animalmodels of infection with Staphylococcus aureus will be particularlyuseful for identifying protein epitopes able to provoke a prophylacticor therapeutic immune response. It is believed that this approach willallow for the subsequent preparation of monoclonal antibodies ofparticular value from the requisite organ of the animal successfullyresisting or clearing infection for the development of prophylacticagents or therapeutic treatments of Staphylococcus aureus infection inmammals, particularly humans.

The polypeptide may be used as an antigen for vaccination of a host toproduce specific antibodies which protect against invasion of bacteria,for example by blocking adherence of bacteria to damaged tissue.Examples of tissue damage include wounds in skin or connective tissuecaused e.g. by mechanical, chemical or thermal damage or by implantationof indwelling devices, or wounds in the mucous membranes, such as themouth, mammary glands, urethra or vagina.

The present invention also includes a vaccine formulation whichcomprises the immunogenic recombinant protein together with a suitablecarrier. Since the protein may be broken down in the stomach, it ispreferably administered parenterally, including, for example,administration that is subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, orintradermal. Formulations suitable for parenteral administration includeaqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may containanti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render theformulation istonic with the bodily fluid, preferably the blood, of theindividual; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which mayinclude suspending agents or thickening agents. The formulations may bepresented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example, sealedampoules and vials and may be stored in a freeze-dried conditionrequiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier immediatelyprior to use. The vaccine formulation may also include adjuvant systemsfor enhancing the immunogenicity of the formulation, such as oil-inwater systems and other systems known in the art. The dosage will dependon the specific activity of the vaccine and can be readily determined byroutine experimentation.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain spsAembodiments, it is to be understood that this covers fragments of thenaturally occurring protein and similar proteins with additions,deletions or substitutions which do not substantially affect theimmunogenic properties of the recombinant protein.

Compositions

The invention also relates to compositions comprising the polynucleotideor the polypeptides discussed above or the antagonists. Thus, thepolypeptides of the present invention may be employed in combinationwith a non-sterile or sterile carrier or carriers for use with cells,tissues or organisms, such as a pharmaceutical carrier suitable foradministration to a subject. Such compositions comprise, for instance, amedia additive or a therapeutically effective amount of a polypeptide ofthe invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.Such carriers may include, but are not limited to, saline, bufferedsaline, dextrose, water, glycerol, ethanol and combinations thereof. Theformulation should suit the mode of administration.

Kits

The invention further relates to diagnostic and pharmaceutical packs andkits comprising one or more containers filled with one or more of theingredients of the aforementioned compositions of the invention.Associated with such container(s) can be a notice in the form prescribedby a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale ofpharmaceuticals or biological products, reflecting approval by theagency of the manufacture, use or sale of the product for humanadministration.

Administration

Polypeptides and other compounds of the present invention may beemployed alone or in conjunction with other compounds, such astherapeutic compounds.

The pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in any effective,convenient manner including, for instance, administration by topical,oral, anal, vaginal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular,subcutaneous, intranasal or intradermal routes among others.

The pharmaceutical compositions generally are administered in an amounteffective for treatment or prophylaxis of a specific indication orindications. In general, the compositions are administered in an amountof at least about 10 μg/kg body weight. In most cases they will beadministered in an amount not in excess of about 8 mg/kg body weight perday. Preferably, in most cases, dose is from about 10 μg/kg to about 1mg/kg body weight, daily. It will be appreciated that optimum dosagewill be determined by standard methods for each treatment modality andindication, taking into account the indication, its severity, route ofadministration, complicating conditions and the like.

In therapy or as a prophylactic, the active agent may be administered toan individual as an injectable composition, for example as a sterileaqueous dispersion, preferably isotonic.

Alternatively the composition may be formulated for topical applicationfor example in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, eye ointments,eye drops, ear drops, mouthwash, impregnated dressings and sutures andaerosols, and may contain appropriate conventional additives, including,for example, preservatives, solvents to assist drug penetration, andemollients in ointments and creams. Such topical formulations may alsocontain compatible conventional carriers, for example cream or ointmentbases, and ethanol or oleyl alcohol for lotions. Such carriers mayconstitute from about 1% to about 98% by weight of the formulation; moreusually they will constitute up to about 80% by weight of theformulation.

For administration to mammals, and particularly humans, it is expectedthat the daily dosage level of the active agent will be from 0.01 mg/kgto 10 mg/kg, typically around 1 mg/kg. The physician in any event willdetermine the actual dosage which will be most suitable for anindividual and will vary with the age, weight and response of theparticular individual. The above dosages are exemplary of the averagecase. There can, of course, be individual instances where higher orlower dosage ranges are merited, and such are within the scope of thisinvention.

In-dwelling devices include surgical implants, prosthetic devices andcatheters, i.e., devices that are introduced to the body of anindividual and remain in position for an extended time. Such devicesinclude, for example, artificial joints, heart valves, pacemakers,vascular grafts, vascular catheters, cerebrospinal fluid shunts, urinarycatheters, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) catheters,etc.

The composition of the invention may be administered by injection toachieve a systemic effect against relevant bacteria shortly beforeinsertion of an in-dwelling device. Treatment may be continued aftersurgery during the in-body time of the device. In addition, thecomposition could also be used to broaden perioperative cover for anysurgical technique to prevent Staphylococcus wound infections.

Many orthopaedic surgeons consider that humans with prosthetic jointsshould be considered for antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatmentthat could produce a bacteraemia. Late deep infection is a seriouscomplication sometimes leading to loss of the prosthetic joint and isaccompanied by significant morbidity and mortality. It may therefore bepossible to extend the use of the active agent as a replacement forprophylactic antibiotics in this situation.

In addition to the therapy described above, the compositions of thisinvention may be used generally as a wound treatment agent to preventadhesion of bacteria to matrix proteins exposed in wound tissue and forprophylactic use in dental treatment as an alternative to, or inconjunction with, antibiotic prophylaxis.

Alternatively, the composition of the invention may be used to bathe anindwelling device immediately before insertion. The active agent willpreferably be present at a concentration of 1 μg/ml to 10 mg/ml forbathing of wounds or indwelling devices.

A vaccine composition is conveniently in injectable form. Conventionaladjuvants may be employed to enhance the immune response.

A suitable unit dose for vaccination is 0.5-5 μg/kg of antigen, and suchdose is preferably administered 1-3 times and with an interval of 1-3weeks.

With the indicated dose range, no adverse toxicological effects will beobserved with the compounds of the invention which would preclude theiradministration to suitable individuals.

The antibodies described above may also be used as diagnostic reagentsto detect the presence of bacteria containing the serine proteaseprotein.

All references and patent applications disclosed herein are incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

EXAMPLES

The present invention is further described by the following examples.These exemplification's, while illustrating certain specific aspects ofthe invention, do not portray the limitations or circumscribe the scopeof the disclosed invention.

Certain terms used herein are explained in the foregoing glossary.

The following bacterial strains were used in these Examples: E. coliXL-1-Blue, JM109 and 1T41, S. aureus RN4220, H (ATCC13801), Oxford(ATCC9144) and WCUH29 (NCIMB 40771). S. aureus strains were known intryptone soya broth (TSB, Oxoid) or in Luria-Bertani broth (Sambrook,J., et al, (1989). Molecular Cloning: a Labaoratory manual. 2^(nd) edCold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press Cold Spring Harbor N.Y.). E. coliwas cultured in Luria-Bertani broth. For solid medium. 1.5% (w/v) agarwas added. Where appropriate, the medium was supplemented with 100 μg mlampicillin for E. coli and 5 μg ml chloramphenicol for S. aureus. The S.aureus WCUH29 genomic library was constructed by Stratagene in thevector λZapII. The λZapII s. aureus H library was constructed in thislaboratory according to the instructions of the manufacturers of λZapII(Stratagene). All shuttle vector constructs that were transferred fromE. coli to S. aureus WCUH29 were first used to transform therestriction-minus S. aureus strain RN4220 and plasmid purified therefrom was used to transform S. aureus WCUH29. Plasmids used in this studyare described in the examples below.

Example 1

DNA Cloning

(A) DNA Techniques and Materials

Plasmid DNA was isolated using the RPM Kit (Bio 101 Inc.) or the WizardMidiprep DNA Purification System (Promega). PCR products were isolatedby horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis, treated with Agarase(Boehringer Mannheim) and purified with the Wizard DNA Clean-Up System(Promega). Chromosomal DNA was isolated from E. coli and S. aureus usingeither the Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Bacterial) (Advanced GeneticTechnologies Corp.) or following published procedures (Marmur, J.(1961). J. Mol. Biol. 3:208-218). An incubation and the appropriatequantity of lysotaphin (Applied Microbiology Inc.) was included duringthe preparation of plasmid and chromosomal DNA from S. aureus tofacilitate cell lysis. λZapII library clones were excised andrecircularized to form recombinant phagemid as described in themanufacturer's instructions. Procedures for DNA restriction anddephophorylation, agarose gel electrophoresis, PCR and transformation ofcompetent E. coli cells were performed essentially as described inSambrook et al. (Sambrook, J., et al, (1989). Molecular Cloning: aLaboratory manual. 2^(nd) ed Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press ColdSpring Harbor N.Y.). Electrocompetent S. aureus cells were prepared asdescribed by Schenk and Laddaga (Schenk, S. and R. A. Laddaga. 1992.Micorobiol. Letts. 94:133-138) with the following modifications: thebacteria were grown in TSB and washed at 2500×g for 5 times at 20° C.Competent cells and plasmid DNA were electroporated in 1 mm gapelectroporation cuvettes at 20° C., 100 Ω, 25 μF, and 2.3 kV in a GenePulser apparatus with pulse controller (Bio-Rad Laboratories Ltd.).Restriction enzymes and calf intestine alkaline phosphatase werepurchased from Promega, ligations were performed using a DNA LigationKit (Amersham) as described in the manufacturer's instructions,sequencing was performed using the Sequence Version 2.0 DNA SequencingKit (Amersham). PCR reactions, optimized using the Opti-Prime Kit(Stratagene), were performed on the Hybaid OmniGene 10 thermal cyclerusing either Pfu DNA polymerase (Promega) and the products cloned usingthe Ta-Cloning Kit (Invitrogen), the pGEM-T Cloning Kit (Promega) or theDNA Ligation Kit (Amersham). Oligonucleotides were synthesized byCruachem Ltd or R&D Systems Europe Ltd.

PCR primer sequences [SEQ ID NO:4-13], with intentional differences fromtemplate sequence shown in upper case, were as follows:

Primer A (g/a)tIgg(a/t)(c/t)tIcc(a/t)gg(a/t)ga(a/t)aI(a/t)(g/a)t [SEQ IDNO:4]

(Primer A RtIggWYtIccWggWgaWaIWRt [SEQ ID NO:4])

Primer B c(t/g)(a/g)tt(a/g)tc(t/a)cccatIa(t/c)(a/g)aa(a/g)ta [SEQ IDNO:5]

(Primer B cKRttRtcWcccatIaYRaaRta [SEQ ID NO:5])

Primer C tgGAaTTCAtgaaaaaagaaCtGttggaatggattatttc [SEQ ID NO:6]

Primer D atttgtAAGCtTttaGtttttGgtGttttcaggattgaaa [SEQ ID NO:7]

Primer E ctgGATCCcgcttgattagttttattga [SEQ ID NO:8]

Primer F ttGGtACCttttgacacctctttttaag [SEQ ID NO:9]

Primer G aaGGtACCtatgaaacaaatacaacatc [SEQ ID NO:10]

Primer H atGAAtTCtcaatataattgtgacactc [SEQ ID NO:11]

Primer I atattagagcgataattcc [SEQ ID NO:12]

Primer J gttcatttgctattcttc [SEQ ID NO:13]

(B) PCR Cycle Conditions for Primer Pairs

A+B [SEQ ID NO:4 AND 5]: 5 min at 94° C., 30 cycles of [1 min at 94° C.,1 min at 42° C., 1 min at 72° C.], 5 mins at 72° C.

C+D [SEQ ID NO:6 AND 7]: 5 mins at 94° C., 15 cycles of [1 min at 94°C., 1 min at 50° C., 1 min at 72° C.], 5 mins at 72° C.

E+F [SEQ ID NO:8 AND 9]: 5 mins at 94° C., 15 cycles of [1 min at 94°C., 1 min at 60° C., 2 mins at 72° C.], 5 mins at 72° C.

G+H [SEQ ID NO:10 AND 11]: 5 mins at 94° C., 15 cycles of [1 min at 94°C., 1 min at 45° C., 2 mins at 72° C., 2 mins at 72° C.], 5 mins at 72°C.

I+J [SEQ ID NO:12 AND 13]: 5 mins at 94° C., 30 cycles of [1 min at 94°C., 1 min at 42° C., 3 mins at 72° C.], 5 mins at 72° C.

DNA was Southern blotted from 0.7% (w/v) agarose gels onto nylonmembranes (Hybond-N′, Amersham) as described in the manufacturer'sinstructions. For library screening purposes plaques were transferred tonylon membranes (Hybond-N, Amersham) as described in the manufacturer'sinstructions. Membranes were hybridized with either oligonucleotide orwhole gene probes labeled using the ECL 3′-oligolabelling kit or the ECLrandom prime labeling kit (Amersham) as appropriate. Washing anddetection steps were performed as described in the manufacturer'sinstructions. All sequence data manipulation was performed with theWisconsin Package of Genetics Computer Group.

(C) PCR Cloning

A strategy was devised to clone SPase by PCR using primers A+B [SEQ IDNO:4 AND 5] as described above. A fragment of DNA of the expectedlength, based upon the known size of SPases from Bacillus, was obtainedfrom a preparation of genomic DNA from S. aureus Oxford. The 163 bp ofsequence so derived is highly homologous to 163 bp of the sipS gene fromB. subtillis implying that a fragment of a gene encoding a type-I SPasehad been cloned. The PCR product was labeled and used to probe a λZap-IIlibrary of S. aureus WCUH29 genomic DNA in order to obtain full sequenceinformation. A positive clone was identified and the recombinant plasmid(pKC10) excised, cut with several restriction enzymes, blotted andprobed with the same labeled DNA fragment as aforementioned. ASaII-digested pKC10 preparation was religated to form plasmid pKC11. TheDNA sequence of 3093 bp of insert DNA was determined by oligonucleotidewalking in both directions from within the sequence originally derivedby PCR. FIG. 3 [SEQ ID NO:3] shows 1220 nucleotides of DNA sequence fromthe chromosome of S. aureus WCUH29 of which nucleotides 817-1025represent the probe region. The probe sequence comprises part of apotential open reading frame (ORF) which in its entirely encodes apolypeptide of 151 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular massof 21, 692 Da and with a single section of hydrophobic residues close tothe N-terminus that probably form a single transmembrane anchor. Thesmall surface-exposed domain and single transmembrane anchor are typicalof SPases from G+ eubacteria. The predicted protein has high homologywith all known G+ SPases and the gene has been named spsB (signalpeptidase from Staphylococcus). It is noteworthy that the highest levelsof sequence similarity are in regions of the protein corresponding tothe most highly conserved regions of known SPases. All three of theseregions within the B. subtilis SPase, and two within LPase from E. colicontain at least one residue that is critical for catalytic activity(Black, M. T. (1993). J. Bacteriol. 175:4957-4961; Tschantz, W. R., etal, (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268:27349-27354; van Dijl, J. M., et al,(1995). J. Biol. Chem. 270:3611-3618). A second ORF, named spsA,proximal to the spsB gene (separated by 15 nucleotides) putativelyencodes a protein of 174 amino acid residues with a calculated molecularmass of 20,146 Da. Sequence comparison reveals that this protein in alsosimilar to known SPase sequences. An optimized alignment of SpsB withSpsA results in 62% similarly and 31% identify between the twosequences. The regions of highest sequence conservation are concentratedwithin or close together. However, a surprising observation is the factthat neither the serine nor the lysine residue known to be essential forcatalytic activity in known type-I SPases are conserved in SpsA. Inorder to ascertain that the existence of spsA is not peculiar to theWCUH29 strain of S. aureus a λZapII library of DNA isolated from S.aureus strain H was probed with the probe originally used to identifyclones containing the spsA/B genes from strain WCUH29. Close homologuesof both spsA and spsB were also discovered in S. aureus H; SpsAhomologues also lack active-site serine and lysine residues.

13 525 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 1GTGAAAAAAG TTGTAAAATA TTTGATTTCA TTGATACTTG CTATTATCAT TGTACTGTTC 60GTACAAACTT TTGTAATAGT TGGTCATGTC ATTCCGAATA ATGATATGTC GCCAACCCTT 120AACAAAGGGG ATCGTGTTAT TGTAAATAAA ATTAAAGTTA CATTTAATCA ATTGAATAAT 180GGTGATATCA TTACATATAG GCGTGGTAAC GAGATATATA CTAGTCGAAT TATTGCCAAA 240CCTGGTCAAT CAATGGCGTT TCGTCAGGGA CAATTATACC GTGATGACCG ACCGGTTGAC 300GCATCTTATG CCAAGAACAG AAAAATTAAA GATTTTAGTT TGCGCAATTT TAAAGAATTA 360GATGGAGATA TTATACCGCC TAACAATTTT GTTGTGCTAA ATGATCATGA TAACAATCAG 420CATGATTCTA GACAATTTGG TTTAATTGAT AAAAAGGATA TTATTGGTAA TATAAGTTTG 480AGATATTATC CTTTTTCAAA ATGGACGATT CAGTTCAAAT CTTAA 525 174 amino acidsamino acid single linear protein not provided 2 Met Lys Lys Val Val LysTyr Leu Ile Ser Leu Ile Leu Ala Ile Ile 1 5 10 15 Ile Val Leu Phe ValGln Thr Phe Val Ile Val Gly His Val Ile Pro 20 25 30 Asn Asn Asp Met SerPro Thr Leu Asn Lys Gly Asp Arg Val Ile Val 35 40 45 Asn Lys Ile Lys ValThr Phe Asn Gln Leu Asn Asn Gly Asp Ile Ile 50 55 60 Thr Tyr Arg Arg GlyAsn Glu Ile Tyr Thr Ser Arg Ile Ile Ala Lys 65 70 75 80 Pro Gly Gln SerMet Ala Phe Arg Gln Gly Gln Leu Tyr Arg Asp Asp 85 90 95 Arg Pro Val AspAla Ser Tyr Ala Lys Asn Arg Lys Ile Lys Asp Phe 100 105 110 Ser Leu ArgAsn Phe Lys Glu Leu Asp Gly Asp Ile Ile Pro Pro Asn 115 120 125 Asn PheVal Val Leu Asn Asp His Asp Asn Asn Gln His Asp Ser Arg 130 135 140 GlnPhe Gly Leu Ile Asp Lys Lys Asp Ile Ile Gly Asn Ile Ser Leu 145 150 155160 Arg Tyr Tyr Pro Phe Ser Lys Trp Thr Ile Gln Phe Lys Ser 165 170 1220base pairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 3TAGAACAGCA TTTTATGGGA TCGAAAAAGG AGTGACATCG TGAAAAAAGT TGTAAAATAT 60TTGATTTCAT TGATACTTGC TATTATCATT GTACTGTTCG TACAAACTTT TGTAATAGTT 120GGTCATGTCA TTCCGAATAA TGATATGTCG CCAACCCTTA ACAAAGGGGA TCGTGTTATT 180GTAAATAAAA TTAAAGTTAC ATTTAATCAA TTGAATAATG GTGATATCAT TACATATAGG 240CGTGGTAACG AGATATATAC TAGTCGAATT ATTGCCAAAC CTGGTCAATC AATGGCGTTT 300CGTCAGGGAC AATTATACCG TGATGACCGA CCGGTTGACG CATCTTATGC CAAGAACAGA 360AAAATTAAAG ATTTTAGTTT GCGCAATTTT AAAGAATTAG ATGGAGATAT TATACCGCCT 420AACAATTTTG TTGTGCTAAA TGATCATGAT AACAATCAGC ATGATTCTAG ACAATTTGGT 480TTAATTGATA AAAAGGATAT TATTGGTAAT ATAAGTTTGA GATATTATCC TTTTTCAAAA 540TGGACGATTC AGTTCAAATC TTAAAAAGAG GTGTCAAAAT TGAAAAAAGA ATTATTGGAA 600TGGATTATTT CAATTGCAGT CGCTTTTGTC ATTTTATTTA TAGTAGGTAA ATTTATTGTT 660ACACCATATA CAATTAAAGG TGAATCAATG GATCCAACTT TGAAAGATGG CGAGCGAGTA 720GCTGTAAACA TTATTGGATA TAAAACAGGT GGTTTGGAAA AAGGTAATGT AGTTGTCTTC 780CATGCAAACA AAAATGATGA CTATGTTAAA CGTGTCATCG GTGTTCCTGG TGATAAAGTA 840GAATATAAAA ATGATACATT ATATGTCAAT GGTAAAAAAC AAGATGAACC ATATTTAAAC 900TATAATTTAA AACATAAACA AGGTGATTAC ATTACTGGGA CTTTCCAAGT TAAAGATTTA 960CCGAATGCGA ATCCTAAATC AAATGTCATT CCAAAAGGTA AATATTTAGT TCTTGGAGAT 1020AATCGTGAAG TAAGTAAAGA TAGCCGTGCG TTTGGCCTCA TTGATGAAGA CCAAATTGTT 1080GGTAAAGTTT CATTTAGATT CTGGCCATTT AGTGAATTTA AACATAATTT CAATCCTGAA 1140AATACTAAAA ATTAATATGA AACAAATACA ACATCGTTTG TCGGTTTTAA TACTGATAAA 1200CGATGTTTTA TTTTGTTAGT 1220 23 base pairs nucleic acid single linearGenomic DNA not provided 4 RTNGGWYTNC CWGGWGAWAN WRT 23 23 base pairsnucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 5 CKRTTRTCWCCCATNAYRAA RTA 23 40 base pairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNAnot provided 6 TGGAATTCAT GAAAAAAGAA CTGTTGGAAT GGATTATTTC 40 40 basepairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 7 ATTTGTAAGCTTTTAGTTTT TGGTGTTTTC AGGATTGAAA 40 28 base pairs nucleic acid singlelinear Genomic DNA not provided 8 CTGGATCCCG CTTGATTAGT TTTATTGA 28 28base pairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 9TTGGTACCTT TTGACACCTC TTTTTAAG 28 28 base pairs nucleic acid singlelinear Genomic DNA not provided 10 AAGGTACCTA TGAAACAAAT ACAACATC 28 28base pairs nucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 11ATGAATTCTC AATATAATTG TGACACTC 28 19 base pairs nucleic acid singlelinear Genomic DNA not provided 12 ATATTAGAGC GATAATTCC 19 18 base pairsnucleic acid single linear Genomic DNA not provided 13 GTTCATTTGCTATTCTTC 18

What is claimed is:
 1. An isolated polynucleotide comprising a memberselected from the group consisting of: (a) a polynucleotide whichencodes a polypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 174 of SEQ ID NO:2;and (b) a polynucleotide which is fully complementary to thepolynucleotide of (a).
 2. An isolated polynucleotide comprising theentire Staphylococcus aureus spsA coding sequence that is SEQ ID NO:1wherein the insolated polynucleotide is not genomic DNA.
 3. An isolatedpolynucleotide comprising a polynucleotide sequence which encodes apolypeptide comprising amino acids 1 to 174 of SEQ ID NO:2 wherein theinsolated polynucleotide is not genomic DNA.
 4. An isolatedpolynucleotide comprising a member selected from the group consistingof: (a) a polynucleotide which encodes the same mature polypeptideexpressed by the DNA contained in NCIMB Deposit No. 40771 and having thepolynucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:1; and (b) a polynucleotide that isfully complementary to the polynucleotide of (a).
 5. An immunologicalcomposition comprising an isolated DNA which encodes the Stapyhlococcusaureus spsA polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2,which, when introduced into a mammal, induces an immunological responsein the mammal to said polypeptide.
 6. An expression system comprisingthe polynucleotide of claim 3 that produces a polypeptide comprising theamino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 when the expression system is presentin a compatible host cell.
 7. A process for producing a recombinant hostcell comprising transforming or transfecting into the cell theexpression system of claim 6 such that the host cell, under appropriateculture conditions, produces a polypeptide comprising the amino acidsequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
 8. A recombinant host cell produced by theprocess of claim
 7. 9. A process for producing a polypeptide comprisingculturing the recombinant host cell of claim 8 under conditionssufficient for the production of the polypeptide and recovering thepolypeptide from the culture.
 10. An isolated polynucleotide consistingof a polynucleotide encoding the polypeptide sequence set forth in SEQID NO:2.